Maisan

Mt. Maisan is located in Chollabuk-do province, east of the city of Jeonju and near to the city of Chinan, in the Maisan Provincial Park. The Korean word for "horse" is "mai," and the Korean word for "mountain" is "san." This mountain gets its name from the fact that its two peaks are separated, giving it the appearance of two horse ears from afar. The west peak, Ammai-bong (673m), is known as Ammai-bong (female horse ear peak), whereas the east peak, Sunmai-bong (667m), is known as Sunmai-bong (male horse ear peak).

The mountain is unusual in Korea since it is made of conglomerate rock that looks like gray pebbles solidified in cement and gives the area a sense of lost world. The renowned Tapsa Temple, with its 80 stone pagodas, is located at the foot of the mountain, halfway between the two summits. In the early 1900s, a hermit built the mortar-less pagodas as symbolic personal prayers for peace. These various stone structures (some as tall as 10 meters) are an intriguing sight and contribute to the area's mystical ambiance.

Maisan's inverted icicles are another fascinating feature. When water is left outside in a bowl in the chilly winter months, it freezes into a pole reaching for the sky. No one understands why or how this happens, but it only adds to Maisan's mystique. The only peak that can be hiked to is the west summit. Climbing equipment is required to reach the east peak. The trek up Maisan's west summit is incredibly steep, but it's on a well-marked track that winds its way up stone stairs and through dense forest. The hike is difficult but brief (less than 2km). To get to the top, plan on walking for around 45 minutes.

Height: 5,725 feet
Name meaning: horse ear mountain
Location: Chollabuk-do